Rheumatoid arthritis information

[Kellamity]

I am being investigated for this and want to find out more information. I have had an X-ray and bloods taken today for joint pain in my finger tips. If I have got it just wondered what the next step will be and if treatments work.

Waiting for a diagnosis is a PITA - I hope you get some answers soon.
Take a look at the Arthritis Care webiste and the ARC website. They have lots of information which might help you get a picture.
I have a close friend with RA and her symptoms are very well managed with drugs, exercise and diet - she's off to climb a mountain in Africa later this year.
Good luck.

I have psoriatic arthritis and the next stages are quite similar I think although in your bloods they can test for a rheumatoid factor which they can't in mine. The bloods will tell then that and the levels of current and ongoing inflammation in your system.

When do you get your results? Do you have an appointment to discuss? At this next appointment they will discuss meds with you.

Hope it all goes well, life does move on and it's a very bearable condition. How much you 'suffer' with it does have a lot to do with your mindset and personal approach to the illness.

Have you checked out the arthritis care website? It's a good place to start

Thanks for the replies. My surgery has been pretty good and I only have to wait until Friday to discuss the results with my GP and can phone up on Weds to find out what the results are.

I am not suffering in the true sense of the word at the moment, just have very strange feelings in my finger tip joints which from time to time can become painful and clicky.

My grandmother had very severe RA and although not heredity I understand if someone in the family has had it you are more predisposed to develop the condition.

My stepdad has this - it is reasonably severe but controlled sufficiently by drugs etc that he still works part time in a pretty active manual job, travels and is a hands on granddad.

I think though there was quite a bit of trial and error before he got right drugs combo to control it.